Pack frame having pulley adjusting straps

ABSTRACT

This invention is concerned with a strap and pulley assembly mounted on a back pack frame. A back pack frame is a device that hikers employ to carry a load of supplies and/or equipment on their back. On the lower side of each of the frame members are mounted pulley assemblies. The straps that connect the frame to the person pass through the pulley assemblies and fasten to the front of the person&#39;&#39;s body. With this invention, the weight on the pack is no longer carried solely on the back and shoulders, but the weight is more evenly distributed to other parts of the body. The pulleys have means for locating them in order to conform to the person&#39;&#39;s configuration. There is a separate bracket for locking the pulley means into fixed positions.

United States Patent [1 1 Plant Mar. 19, 1974 PACK FRAME HAVING PULLEYADJUSTING STRAPS [76] Inventor: Roland Plant, 17 Pearl St.,

Manchester, Conn. 06040 [22] Filed: Nov. 20, 1972 [21] Appl. No.:308,244

910,436 1946 France 224/8 R Primary Examiner-Robert G. Sheridan [57]ABSTRACT This invention is concerned with a strap and pulley assemblymounted on a back pack frame. A back pack frame is a device that hikersemploy to carry a load of supplies and/or equipment on their back. Onthe lower side of each of the frame members are mounted pulleyassemblies. The straps that connect the frame to the person pass throughthe pulley assemblies and fasten to the front of the person s body. Withthis invention, the weight on the pack is no longer carried solely onthe back and shoulders, but the weight is more evenly distributed toother parts of the body. The pulleys have means for locating them inorder to conform to the persons configuration. There is a separatebracket for locking the pulley means into fixed positions.

8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAR 19 1914 SHEET 2 [1F 2 PACK FRAMEHAVING PULLEY ADJUSTING STRAPS This invention is concerned with a strapand pulley assembly mounted on a back pack frame. A back pack frame isdesigned to carry a load of equipment or supplies on a persons back whenhiking or perhaps a fireman or the like carrying fire fightingequipment. There are several types of back pack frames.

It is an object of the within invention to provide a strap and pulleysystem that can be installed on any type or style of back pack frame.

The presently manufactured back pack frame is carried on a persons backby means of two shoulder straps fastened to the top of the frame andover the top of each of the persons shoulders. The other end of thestraps fasten to the bottom of the frame. This type of a frame carriesmost'of the weight on the persons shoulders and his back directly behindthe spinal column and the shoulder blade area of the persons back. Thiscauses fatigue and prevents free movement of the arms and neck. Thecarrying straps press into the shoulders and slow down the bloodcirculation.

On lengthy trips it is uncomfortable and painful to use thisarrangement.

The shoulder straps of the within invention do not press on top of theshoulders but distribute the weight to other parts of the body.

It is yet another object of the within invention to provide a packcarrier that has an adjusting strap arrangement.

It is still an additional object of the within invention to provide astrap for the pack carrier that will give comfort, rather than distress,to the person carrying the pack.

It is yet additional object to provide a light-weight pack carrier thathas an adjustable lightweight pulley means for equalizing the weightforces on the straps of the person carrying the pack.

The pulley arrangement of this invention is designed to act as a leversystem to lift the weight of the pack from the person s shoulders and todistribute the weight over other parts of the persons body.

With this invention the weight is not carried only on the back andshoulders but at the hips and the legs.

The aforesaid objects are obtained by the use of two pulleys that aremounted on the pack carrier. The pulleys are located below each of thearms and at the proximate height of the hips. The pulleys are,therefore, mounted on the lower end of the frame. The straps forcarrying the pack frame circle the back of the pulleys and attach at thewaist.

For a more detailed understanding of this invention reference is made tothe following specifications and to the drawings, in which:

I FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the rear of the pack frame showing thelocation and mounting of the pulleys.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view partially in section of a typical pulleymounted'on the frame taken along line 2 ZofFlG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the pulley mounted on the frame.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the pulley lock bracket.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view showing how the straps are worn by theperson carrying the pack frame.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view partially in perspective showing thelocation of the pulleys and the straps on the front of the personcarrying the pack frame.

FIG. 7 is a view in perspective of the canvas cover being applied to thepack frame.

FIG. 8 is a view in perspective of the straps and that portion of theframe to which they are connected.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the hardware for mounting the strap to theframe. A light-weight upright tube II is connected to a horizontalcrossbar tube 2. The other end of the cross-bar tube 2 is connected toanother tube upright I. The tube members I have a slight bend in themnear the bottom as can be seen in the view of FIG. I forming somewhatthe curvature of the back of a person. There is a middle cross-barhorizontal tube 3 connecting the two tube members 1, just above the bendin tubes 1. Also beneath the cross-bar tube 3 is a lower horizontalcrossbar tube 4. Essentially, the frame is conventional, having the twoupright members 1 and the three horizontal cross-connecting members, 2,3, and 4.

Mounted near the bottom of each upright frame 1 above the cross-bar 4 isa pulley assembly. There is a pulley shaft 5. This can be seen clearlyin the view of FIG. 2. The pulley 6 is mounted on the pulley shaft 5.See FIG. 2 and the dotted lines in the view of FIG. 3. Pulley 6 hasridges protruding from its main surface which are hereinafter referredto as pulley flanges 25.

There is in the view of FIG. 11 a man 7 drawn in phantom dotted lines toorient the position of the frame assembly l 2 3 4 upon the back of theman 7. There is a strap 8 which connects around the pulley and fastensover the shoulders of the man 7. There are various component parts ofthe strap 8 which can be seen in the views, particularly of FIGS. 5, 6and 8.

In the views of FIG. 1 and 7 is the canvas cover 9 which is fastenedbelow the upper cross-bar 2. There are eyelets 13 in the canvas cover 9through which tying strings 11 are fastened. Similarly, in the lowerportion of the frame assembly is the canvas cover 10. There are eyelets13 in the lower portion of lower canvas cover 10 in which the laces II]are also fastened.

At the top of each of the tube frame members I are plastic covers 12which prevent the rough edges of the tube 1 from doing any injury ordamage to the person 7. At the bottom of the tubes I are similar typesof plugs or covers 16 for the same purpose of protecting the person 7from injury from the rough edges of the bottom of the tubes ll.

In the view of FIG. 5 at the upper portion of the strap 8 above theadjusting buckle 20 is a padded strap segment 14. The padded strapsegment 14 is connected to the cross-bar 2. In the views of FIGS. l and8 can be seen two separate eye bolts 18 to which the strap 14 areconnected. The eye bolts are conventional and can be seen clearly in theview of FIG. 9. The top of eye bolt 18 is circular in shape permittingthe person to adjust the straps and tighten them with his fingers. Thestraps 14 are shown connected between the bottom of the tube 2 and theeye bolt 18. On the other side of the tube 2 are the lock washers 23 andthe nut 24 for the eye bolt 18.

Reference is made to the strap assembly as shown in FIG. 8. The upperportion 14 is the padded part of the strap and as stated is connected tothe eye bolt 18 on the cross-bar 2. There is a buckle 20 for adjustingthe length of the strap segment 8 as shown in the view of FIG. and isthe half-way buckle. Connected to the half-way buckle is the strapsegment 8. Connected to the strap segment 8 is the S-shaped connector 22which permits the strap to fit around the person without twisting. TheS-shaped connector 22 is connected to the wide front strap 21. The widefront strap 21 is interconnected with the adjustable buckle 20a whichconnects a symmetrical side of the strap assembly to the right of theview of FIG. 8.

The pulley assembly which can be seen in the view of FIGS. 1, 3 and 6comprises of a bifurcated clamp bracket 28. Bracket 28 can be seen inview of FIG. 2. One portion of bracket 28 surrounds one portion of thetube 1. There is a slotted opening in bracket 28 which permits the tube1 to fit snugly within the clamp arms 28a and 28b.

Passing through openings or slots 31 are the bolts 32 with their wingnuts 26 for locking the bracket 28 to the upright tube 1. As stated, thebracket 28 is bifurcated and there is a similar clamp assembly both atthe upper and the lower portion of the bracket 28 as described.

Connected to the bracket 28 is the pulley housing 27 which is U-shapedin the view of FIG. 2. The housing 27 covers the pulley 6 on two sidesand the rear, permitting the strap 8 to pass without forwardobstruction.

There is a pivot pin located in the bracket 28 as seen in FIG. 2 and bywhich the bolt 32 is moveably secured to the bracket 28. The bolt 32,therefore, can slide in and out of slot 31 on its pivot pin 30.

There is a lock bracket assembly 29 which has a somewhat similarstructure as just described for bracket 28. This is a simple collar. Ithas a set screw 33 which locks the collar into position on the uprighttube 1. The pin 30 and the bolt 32 and the wing nut 26 can be seenclearly in the view of FIGS. 3 and 4. The purpose of the collar is tolocate and lock the position of the bracket assembly 28. Bracket 29locks the height of the pulley assembly bracket 28 so that if it isdesired to change the position of the pulley assembly bracket 28 byeither raising it or lowering it depending upon the size of the personcarrying the frame. To make such an adjustment it is necessary to loosenthe set screw 33 and raise or lower the collar 29. The set screw 33 canthen be tightened at the desired position. At that particular position,the pulley assembly can be locked into position by meshing the teeth 34on bracket 29 with the teeth 35 on bracket 28. The pulley assembly willnow be locked and cannot twist on the tube 1.

In operation, the person takes the straps and places them over hisshoulder. He adjusts the buckles 20 so that the straps will fit hissize. He locates the pulleys to the position where the straps feel themost comfortable. He then places the bracket 29 on the frame and locksit into position by tightening screw 33. This is exactly at the locationwhere the pulley assembly 27 is to be 10- catcd. He then removes thestraps and tightens all of the wing bolts 26 into position. lfit is morecomfortable to have the pulleys facing out because the man has a largestomach, it is only necessary to twist the assembly outwardly from theview shown in FIG. 1 and push down the collar assembly 29 and twist thecollar assembly 29 into position so that the teeth 34 and 35 engage andmesh with each other as shown in FIG. 3. It is then necessary to lockthe screw 33 into position so that the pulley assembly will be rigid andsecure to the tube 1.

While it is not shown, it is contemplated that the pulley shaft will bemounted on a bearing.

With adjustable pulleys mounted on the frame, the straps segment 14 areplaced over the shoulders and the segment 8 of the strap is placed overthe pulleys 6 and around under them and locked to the buckle 20a. Thestrap segments 14 and 8 are then adjusted. Oftentimes, when there ismore weight on the frame than is customary, it is necessary to twist thepulleys 6 outwardly or inwardly on the tube 1 until the person finds themost comfortable position. The pulleys 6 prevent the straps 14 fromrubbing on the shoulders and causing burns and discomfort. They permitthe weight to be evenly distributed over the full length of the straps,giving to the person wearing the pack carrier more comfort. One mightanalogize this pulley approach to shock absorbers on an automobile sincethe pulleys are designed to absorb the trauma of weight shifting andjerks as shock absorbers do to bumps.

When the waist belt is tightened, the pulley works as a lever and pushesthe load up and off from the top of the shoulders. When the waist beltis tightened, the shoulder straps pull the load snug to the upper partof the back. Since the straps are wrapped around the pulley, they pullthe bottom part of the frame upward and snug to the lower part of theback; and, the belt, when tightened at the waist, delivers part of theload onto the legs. The back pack load becomes lighter on the shoulders.The load is more comfortable and easier to carry.

I claim:

1. An improved pack frame assembly to be carried on the back by persons,comprising of: two substantially parallel vertical members, a pluralityof horizontal members interconnecting the vertical members atapproximately the upper portion, middle portion and bottom portionthereof, a pulley assembly mounted on the outside of each verticalmember above the bottom horizontal member, means for adjusting andlocking the position of the pulley assembly, a strap assembly includinga front belt, means for fastening said strap assembly to the upperhorizontal member; said strap assembly adapted to pass over theshoulders of a person carrying the pack frame, underneath the personsarmpits, over and under the pulleys and interconnected at the waist infront of the said person carrying the frame.

2. An improved pack frame assembly as described in claim 1 wherein saidbelt assembly comprises on each side of said frame an upper paddedportion, an intermediate strap portion, an adjustable buckle, saidbuckle connected to said intermediate strap portion and upper paddedportion, a clamp means, said clamp means connected to said intermediatestrap portion and front belt, and a buckle for connecting each side ofthe front belt at the waist.

3. An improved pack frame assembly as described in claim 1 wherein saidpulley assembly comprises of a pulley bracket adapted to be movablymounted on said pack frame vertical member, said bracket having anadjustable bolt at the top and lower portions thereof for tightening thebracket to the said frame member, said bracket having a housing portion,an axle mounted within said housing, said pulley mounted on said axle.

4. An improved pack frame assembly as described in claim 2 wherein saidpulley assembly comprises of a pulley bracket adapted to be movablymounted on said pack frame vertical member, said bracket having anadjustable bolt at the top and lower portions thereof for tightening thebracket to the said frame member, said bracket having a housing portion,an axle mounted within said housing, said pulley mounted on said axle.

5. An improved pack frame assembly as described in claim 1 wherein saidmeans for locking the position of the pulley assembly comprises aU-shaped bracket fastened about said vertical frame member above thepulley assembly, teeth means on the bottom of said U- shaped bracket,teeth on the top of said pulley assembly designed to mesh with the teethmeans on the U- shaped bracket, and a bolt assembly for securing theU-shaped bracket to the vertical frame member.

6. An improved pack frame assembly as described in claim 2 wherein saidmeans for locking the position of the pulley assembly comprises aU-shaped bracket fastened about said vertical frame member above thepulley assembly teeth means on the bottom of said U- shaped bracket,teeth on the top of said pulley assembly designed to mesh with the teethmeans on the U- shaped bracket, and a bolt assembly for securing theU-shaped bracket to the vertical frame member.

7. An improved pack frame assembly as described in claim 3 wherein saidmeans for locking the position of the pulley assembly comprises aU-shaped bracket fastened about said vertical frame member above thepulley assembly, teeth means on the bottom of said U- shaped bracket,teeth on the top of said pulley assembly designed to mesh with the teethmeans on the U- shaped bracket, and a bolt assembly for securing theU-shaped bracket to the vertical frame member.

8. An improved pack frame assembly as described in claim 4 wherein saidmeans for locking the position of the pulley assembly comprises aU-shaped bracket fastened about said vertical frame member above thepulley assembly, teeth means on the bottom of said U- shaped bracket,teeth on the top of said pulley assembly designed to mesh with the teethmeans on the U- shaped bracket, and a bolt assembly for securing theU-shaped bracket to the vertical frame member.

1. An improved pack frame assembly to be carried on the back by persons,comprising of: two substantially parallel vertical members, a pluralityof horizontal members interconnecting the vertical members atapproximately the upper portion, middle portion and bottom portionthereof, a pulley assembly mounted on the outside of each verticalmember above the bottom horizontal member, means for adjusting andlocking the position of the pulley assembly, a strap assembly includinga front belt, means for fastening said strap assembly to the upperhorizontal member; said strap assembly adapted to pass over theshoulders of a person carrying the pack frame, underneath the person''sarmpits, over and under the pulleys and interconnected at the waist infront of the said person carrying the frame.
 2. An improved pack frameassembly as described in claim 1 wherein said belt assembly comprises oneach side of said frame an upper padded portion, an intermediate strapportion, an adjustable buckle, said buckle connected to saidintermediate strap portion and upper padded portion, a clamp means, saidclamp means connected to said intermediate strap portion and front belt,and a buckle for connecting each side of the front belt at the waist. 3.An improved pack frame assembly as described in claim 1 wherein saidpulley assembly comprises of a pulley bracket adapted to be movablymounted on said pack frame vertical member, said bracket having anadjustable bolt at the top and lower portions thereof for tightening thebracket to the said frame member, said bracket having a housing portion,an axle mounted within said housing, said pulley mounted on said axle.4. An improved pack frame assembly as described in claim 2 wherein saidpulley assembly comprises of a pulley bracket adapted to be movablymounted on said pack frame vertical member, said bracket having anadjustable bolt at the top and lower portions thereof for tightening thebracket to the said frame member, said bracket having a housing portion,an axle mounted within said housing, said pulley mounted on said axle.5. An improved pack frame assembly as described in claim 1 wherein saidmeans for locking the position of the pulley assembly comprises aU-shaped bracket fastened about said vertical frame member above thepulley assembly, teeth means on the bottom of said U-shaped bracket,teeth on the top of said pulley assembly designed to mesh with the teethmeans on the U-shaped bracket, and a bolt assembly for securing theU-shaped bracket to the vertical frame member.
 6. An improved pack frameassembly as described in claim 2 wherein said means for locking theposition of the pulley assembly comprises a U-shaped bracket fastenedabout said vertical frame member above the pulley assembly, teeth meanson the bottom of said U-shaped bracket, teeth on the top of said pulleyassembly designed to mesh with the teeth means on the U-shaped bracket,and a bolt assembly for securing the U-shaped bracket to the verticalframe member.
 7. An improved pack frame assembly as described in claim 3wherEin said means for locking the position of the pulley assemblycomprises a U-shaped bracket fastened about said vertical frame memberabove the pulley assembly, teeth means on the bottom of said U-shapedbracket, teeth on the top of said pulley assembly designed to mesh withthe teeth means on the U-shaped bracket, and a bolt assembly forsecuring the U-shaped bracket to the vertical frame member.
 8. Animproved pack frame assembly as described in claim 4 wherein said meansfor locking the position of the pulley assembly comprises a U-shapedbracket fastened about said vertical frame member above the pulleyassembly, teeth means on the bottom of said U-shaped bracket, teeth onthe top of said pulley assembly designed to mesh with the teeth means onthe U-shaped bracket, and a bolt assembly for securing the U-shapedbracket to the vertical frame member.